Last week, Joe Rogan caused a stir in the MMA community during episode #2249 of his ‘JRE’ podcast. The UFC commentator alleged that light heavyweight king Alex Pereira was deliberately stalling, keeping top-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev waiting for a title shot. Rogan raised questions about the Brazilian’s rumored return to the Octagon in March, suggesting the timing might coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.

Rogan remarked, “Ankalaev wouldn’t be able to fight in March. He’s got to go through the entire month of Ramadan preparing for a world title fight? February 28th, and it ends March 29th. That’s exactly during the time period when he’s going to fight.” These comments sparked controversy and debate among MMA fans, with many questioning whether ‘Poatan’ was intentionally avoiding Ankalaev. Pereira, who defended his 205lbs crown three times in 2024 has not competed since his successful title defense against Khalil Rountree Jr in October.

The criticism directed at Pereira prompted former fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen to come to his defense. In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen dismissed Rogan’s “Ramadan strategy” theory, saying, “I don’t think I believe any of that to be true. I don’t think Alex Pereira thought these things through. Pereira has many options. He’s been saying Ankalaev all the time—that was not a draw, not a direction that everybody knew the organization would go. It’s just what if they switch chairs? What if our biggest star switches chairs with anybody? Is it worth the risk?”

Sonnen also pointed out the reports regarding Pereira’s potential return in March. This has been widely circulated by various news outlets and websites but lacks any direct quotes from the champion himself. ‘The Bad Guy’ reiterated that even if the reigning champion does return in March, “the competition’s going to go on.”

That said, Alex Pereira’s reputation as a fearless two-division champion speaks for itself. Known for taking on even the toughest opponents without hesitation, ‘Poatan’ has consistently proven his readiness to step up under any circumstances. This was most evident when he stepped in to salvage Dana White’s struggling UFC 303 fight card after the Conor McGregor-centered event collapsed due to the Irishman withdrawing because of an injury.

Furthermore, Pereira’s reported religious background raises questions about the theory proposed by Joe Rogan regarding Ramadan. As widely known within the MMA community, ‘Poatan’ is reportedly a Muslim, which makes the suggestion that he deliberately used Ramadan as a scheduling strategy seem far-fetched. This perspective further weakens the narrative that Ramadan played any role in potential delays or conflicts regarding his return.

Is Alex Pereira a Muslim?

Years ago, at the age of 27, Alex Pereira, born into a Christian family, found himself battling alcoholism. In his search for salvation and inner peace, ‘Poatan’ turned to Islam, which became a transformative force in his life. Sheikh Taqi Al-Din, speaking to the Islamic News Agency (IINA), recounted Pereira’s journey, stating, “In search of inner peace, contentment, and perfect character, and after studying Islam closely, Pereira, the first kickboxing star in Latin America and Brazil and the sixth in the world, discovered his purpose. That’s when he decided to visit FAMBRAS to learn more about Islam’s true message.”

This account is further supported by a viral YouTube video where the Brazilian is seen pronouncing the Shahada, Islam’s testimony of faith. Although Pereira has not publicly spoken about his religion, it is clear that Islam played a pivotal role in helping him overcome his struggles with alcohol and redirect his focus toward a disciplined and successful career. Now, at 37 years old, ‘Poatan’ continues to exhibit unwavering commitment to MMA.

Looking at the overlap between Ramadan and Pereira’s UFC fights raises further questions. For instance, Ramadan in 2023 concluded on April 9, and just four days later, Pereira delivered a memorable performance at UFC 300 by defeating Jamahal Hill. Similarly, in 2022, Ramadan fell between March 22 and April 21, with the Brazilian fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 on April 8, a bout where he suffered a knockout loss.

These instances make it difficult to determine if Pereira’s fight scheduling around Ramadan is intentional or purely coincidental. What are your thoughts on Joe Rogan’s “Ramadan Strategy” theory? Does it hold any merit compared to Chael Sonnen’s take on Alex Pereira’s fighting spirit? Share your opinions below!